A 46-year-old visitor was fined $2,000 today for importing cannabis and having drug equipment.

Randolph Knight, from Atlanta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to bringing cannabis and cartridges containing tetrahydrocannabinol — the active ingredient in cannabis — to Bermuda on August 1.

He also admitted having a plastic grinder and a smoking pipe on the same date.

The court heard that Knight was stopped by customs officers as he and a woman were leaving the Norwegian Escape cruise ship in Dockyard.

The pair had a suitcase with them and Knight told the officers that it belonged to him.

The suitcase was searched and the officers found green plant material, vape cartridges and a glass pipe.

Knight told the officers: “It’s all mine.”

A cartridge and battery were also found in his shoe.

Asked if he had more drugs or equipment in his cabin, Knight said: “I don’t believe so.”

He then told officers that he had a pipe and more charger pens.

Officers searched the cabin and found another vape, more plant material and a plastic grinder.

The drugs and equipment were analysed. Tetrahydrocannabinol was detected in the cartridges.

There was 0.2 grams of cannabis in the grinder and another 10.84 grams of the drug were seized.

Knight admitted the items belonged to him during a police interview.

He told officers that he had a medical marijuana card and used the drugs to help with “severe” pain stemming from an accident four years ago.

Knight said in court today: “I would like to apologise for being woefully ignorant of the laws of the land.”

He added that he “had no intention of disrespecting” Bermuda.

Lawyer Tyrone Quinn called on the courts to give his client an absolute discharge.

But magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said this was “absolutely” not appropriate.

He fined Knight $1,500 for importing the cannabis, $300 for importing the tetrahydrocannabinol and $100 each for possessing the grinder and the pipe.

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